Trainline junction box

Abstract

A junction box for a trainline including a housing having a lid and a body with a first non-circular opening in a first side wall of the body. An electrical connector extends through the opening, and a portion of the exterior surface of the connector has a non-circular shape and forms a non-rotational fit with the first opening. A flange of the connector is mounted to the exterior surface of the first wall and seals the first opening. The connector includes an electrical receptacle having a first portion of the exterior surface of the connector and a threaded second portion of the exterior surface of the connector. A gasket is positioned between the flange and the first wall encompassed in the first opening. The first non-circular opening may be generally triangular.

What is claimed:  
     
       1. A junction box for a trainline comprising: 
       a housing having a body and a lid;  
       a first non-circular opening in a first side wall of the body;  
       an electrical connector extending through the opening;  
       a first portion of an exterior surface of the connector having a non-circular shape and forming an anti-rotational fit with the first opening;  
       a flange of the connector mounted to an exterior surface of the first wall and sealing the first opening;  
       wherein the connector includes an electrical receptacle including the first portion of the exterior surface of the connector and a threaded second portion of the exterior surface of the connector; and  
       the flange includes an interior thread joining the flange to the receptacle at the second portion.  
     
     
       2. The junction box according to  claim 1 , wherein the flange is a unitary portion of the connector. 
     
     
       3. The junction box according to  claim 1 , wherein the flange includes a pair of ears and a fastener extends through each ear into the first side wall. 
     
     
       4. The junction box according to  claim 1 , including a recess in the first side wall receiving the flange. 
     
     
       5. The junction box according to  claim 1 , including a recess in a top surface of the housing body and a gasket in the recess. 
     
     
       6. The junction box according to  claim 1 , wherein the lid includes self-retained fasteners. 
     
     
       7. The junction box according to  claim 1 , including a lanyard connected between the body and lid. 
     
     
       8. The junction box according to  claim 1 , including a terminal block in the housing and the electrical connector includes wires connected to the terminal block. 
     
     
       9. The junction box according to  claim 1 , including a second opening in a second side wall of the body and a cable fitting extending through the second opening. 
     
     
       10. The junction box according to  claim 1 , including a gasket between the flange and the first side wall encompassing the first opening. 
     
     
       11. The junction box according to  claim 10 , wherein the gasket is an o-ring in a recess of the flange. 
     
     
       12. The junction box according to  claim 1 , wherein the first non-circular opening is generally triangular. 
     
     
       13. The junction box according to  claim 12 , wherein the non-circular shape of the first portion of the connector is circular with a flat. 
     
     
       14. The junction box according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes external ears extending laterally from a base of the side walls of the body, each ear having an opening for a fastener to mount the housing to a rail vehicle. 
     
     
       15. The junction box according to  claim 14 , wherein a foot print of the housing with the ears is rectangular. 
     
     
       16. The junction box according to  claim 14 , wherein a foot print of the housing with the ears is square. 
     
     
       17. A junction box for a trainline, comprising: 
       a housing having a body and a lid;  
       a triangular opening in a first side wall of the body;  
       an electrical connector extending through the triangular opening;  
       a portion of an exterior surface of the electrical connector being circular with a flat and forming an anti-rotational fit with the triangular opening; and  
       a flange of the electrical connector mounted by fastoners to an exterior surface of the first side wall and sealing the triangular opening.